The year under review saw growing intolerance of media criticism by the government. The government has shown little appetite to repeal the offending laws, but there is eagerness to introduce more draconian legislation. MEDIA PLURALISM AND DIVERSITY Botswana has 12 print newspapers of which 11 are privately owned and one is controlled by the State, five radio stations (three privately owned and two controlled by the State), one State owned television station and one privately owned television station as well as a handful of digital platforms. State run media outlets dominate the broadcasting sectors and have been accused (2) by opposition parties of being pro-government and being biased towards the ruling party in their reporting. (3) underhand means to obtain information, often leading to their arrests. SURVEILLANCE AND PRIVACY OF ONLINE JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY COMMUNICATION AND PROTECTION Botswana still does not have a law that explicitly guarantees freedom of expression and this does not promote government’s transparency. There is no law implementing right to information provisions enshrined in the Constitution despite pressure from certain quarters for the enactment of a Freedom of Information Bill. In 2010, an opposition Member of Parliament tabled the Freedom of Information Bill and 11 years later, the authorities are still reluctant to enact it into law. The absence of an access to information law has seen some journalists resorting to using Botswana does not have laws on surveillance, but a number of court cases involving journalists have exposed police and other State security agents for routinely snooping on media practitioners. Botswana is one of three Southern African countries that were named in a report on State surveillance. (4) The government has moved to introduce the Criminal Procedure and Evidence (Controlled Investigations) Bill, which media organisations fear would be used to intercept private communications by citizens. The Bill was brought Parliament in early 2022. to STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA REPORT 2021 31 Overall, the MPA criminalises journalism, intimidates journalists, and restricts media work, while also promoting self-censorship by journalists, editors and publishers